The Orioles do not want me any more

[WillyM]

I got an e-mail from the Orioles today, informing me that fans will be permitted to attend games at Camden Yards, up to a limit of 25% of capacity.

I looked at that and I realized how much I would want to go to a game again.  Maybe not until I'd had a chance to be vaccinated, but perhaps later in the season, if I could get a ticket.

Then I read farther into the details and realized that the Orioles apparently will not sell me a ticket that I can use.

They are going to use contactless digital ticketing exclusively.  As far as I can understand, that means the only way people can get into the park is by showing a digital image from an app on a smartphone.

I don't own a smartphone.  I refuse to spend the obscene amount of money it would cost to obtain one of those things.

I've been an Oriole fan for more than 60 years.  I guess they don't want old geezers like me coming around Camden Yards any more.

[Sports Guy]

If you can scan a phone, why can’t you scan a piece of paper?

[Can_of_corn]

27 minutes ago, WillyM said:

I got an e-mail from the Orioles today, informing me that fans will be permitted to attend games at Camden Yards, up to a limit of 25% of capacity.

I looked at that and I realized how much I would want to go to a game again.  Maybe not until I'd had a chance to be vaccinated, but perhaps later in the season, if I could get a ticket.

Then I read farther into the details and realized that the Orioles apparently will not sell me a ticket that I can use.

They are going to use contactless digital ticketing exclusively.  As far as I can understand, that means the only way people can get into the park is by showing a digital image from an app on a smartphone.

I don't own a smartphone.  I refuse to spend the obscene amount of money it would cost to obtain one of those things.

I've been an Oriole fan for more than 60 years.  I guess they don't want old geezers like me coming around Camden Yards any more.

30 bucks is an obscene amount of money?

[tntoriole]

11 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

If you can scan a phone, why can’t you scan a piece of paper?

Printing costs...same way with menus in restaurants which have been vanishing in lieu of a scannable link on the table 

[Philip]

Sad. 
In my area the Walmarts are going to all self check out. If you don’t wanna check out yourself, you go shop somewhere else. Someone stands around to make sure you’re not stealing, and deal with problems with the equipment, but aside from that you’re on your own. I haven’t stepped inside my local Walmart in three years.

[luismatos4prez]

It's hard to believe that they would only let people with smartphones into Camden Yards. I recommend contacting the Ticket Sales Department. I'm sure there's a way for you to go to games still.

[Sports Guy]

48 minutes ago, tntoriole said:

Printing costs...same way with menus in restaurants which have been vanishing in lieu of a scannable link on the table 

Except I’m printing the ticket at home.

[Sports Guy]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

30 bucks is an obscene amount of money?

No but 900-1200 is and they think they are doing you a favor by not making you sign a contract.

Its bs.

[Moose Milligan]

Something tells me the person who wrote the opening post won't be back to read suggestions on how he can figure out a way to get to a game.  

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Sports Guy said:

No but 900-1200 is and they think they are doing you a favor by not making you sign a contract.

Its bs.

I'm pretty sure you don't need a $900 phone to display a digital image.  With some careful shopping you can get easily get a smart phone for under 50 bucks and something fairly modern for under 200.

If you stop for a second and think of the actual technology in a smart phone you'll be amazed they don't start at a grand.  Overall electronics are dirt cheap.

[jerios55]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

I'm pretty sure you don't need a $900 phone to display a digital image.  With some careful shopping you can get easily get a smart phone for under 50 bucks and something fairly modern for under 200.

If you stop for a second and think of the actual technology in a smart phone you'll be amazed they don't start at a grand.  Overall electronics are dirt cheap.

I've got LG phones that will do the job for $10-30 bucks (used to have several for beer money purposes).  Now I put in airplane mode and use for Pandora for my daughter.  No contract, fees or anything else.  For purposes of tickets, you could make it work with one of the $10 phones.

[Can_of_corn]

6 minutes ago, jerios55 said:

I've got LG phones that will do the job for $10-30 bucks (used to have several for beer money purposes).  Now I put in airplane mode and use for Pandora for my daughter.  No contract, fees or anything else.  For purposes of tickets, you could make it work with one of the $10 phones.

You wouldn't even need to run a plan on it.  Just download the email when you have a free wi-fi connection.

[WillyM]

3 hours ago, Moose Milligan said:

Something tells me the person who wrote the opening post won't be back to read suggestions on how he can figure out a way to get to a game.  

You presumed incorrectly.

Luismatos4pres suggested that I try contacting the Orioles' ticket office and asking them if there is any way I could get into Camden Yards without a smart phone.  Maybe that will work.

I've read articles on the advantages and disadvantages of smart phones.  They are expensive - perhaps not as expensive as I first thought, but expensive - and they are security risks.

They are also bewildering.  I would have no idea how to use one. 

Jerios55 suggests getting an LG phone, putting it in airplane mode, and using it for Pandora.  I'm sure this was a well-meant suggestion, but -

What's an LG phone?  What's airplane mode?  What's Pandora?  How would any of those help me get into Camden Yards?

[gold21030]

8 minutes ago, WillyM said:

You presumed incorrectly.

Luismatos4pres suggested that I try contacting the Orioles' ticket office and asking them if there is any way I could get into Camden Yards without a smart phone.  Maybe that will work.

I've read articles on the advantages and disadvantages of smart phones.  They are expensive - perhaps not as expensive as I first thought, but expensive - and they are security risks.

They are also bewildering.  I would have no idea how to use one. 

Jerios55 suggests getting an LG phone, putting it in airplane mode, and using it for Pandora.  I'm sure this was a well-meant suggestion, but -

What's an LG phone?  What's airplane mode?  What's Pandora?  How would any of those help me get into Camden Yards?

LG is just the name of the company that makes the phone. Airplane mode is a function on the phone that turns off internet and cell service, but you can still access files on the phone. Pandora is a music app, you don't need it to get into Camden Yards.

I think the suggestion is, if you can't get in without a smart phone, buy a cheap phone sold by LG, access your email on the phone and download the ticket onto the phone via the email the team sends when you buy the ticket online. Then just display the ticket on your phone when you get to the gate. If you download on your wireless internet at home, you won't even need a data plan from a network because smart phones can connect to wireless internet without having an internet plan from the carrier.

[OriolesMagic83]

I don't think a phone would even be required.  I'm guessing that even a scannable code on a piece of paper would work.  All that is required is a computer and a printer.  I think a cheap printer is like $50 and wouldn't involve learning new technology.